In this work, highly dispersed AuPd alloy nanoparticles (NPs, 3-6 nm) decorated amino-functionalized Zr (IV)-based metal-organic framework (i.e. UiO-66-NH2) was prepared via a novel adsorption/reduction method in ethanol-water solution. In this process, the UiO-66-NH2 acted as both supporting platform and protective agent. The pores of UiO-66-NH2 could limit the aggregation and migration of AuPd alloy NPs. The resulting AuPd/UiO-66-NH2 catalyst possessed large specific surface area and excellent stability and dispersity in aqueous media. When it was used to construct a nitrite sensor, the composite material exhibited higher catalytic activity than the metal counterparts (i.e., Au/UiO-66-NH2 and Pd/UiO-66-NH2) due to the strong metallic synergistic effect. The electrochemical study demonstrated that the AuPd/UiO-66-NH2 based sensor had an extended linear response concentration range of 0.05-5666 mu M for nitrite detection, with a detection limit of 0.01 mu M. It was successfully applied to determine nitrite in sausage and pickle samples. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.