The catalytic activity, recyclability and selectivity are the key issues resisting the noble metal nanocatalysts in the practical applications. In the present work, core-shell-structured Fe3O4/Pd@ZIF-8 catalyst was prepared by in situ coating Fe3O4/Pd microspheres with ZIF-8 shells. The catalyst structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The special catalyst structure which possesses the Fe3O4 cores, Pd nanoparticles and microporous ZIF-8 shells endowed the catalyst with magnetic recyclability, high catalytic activity and size selectivity for the hydrogenation of alkenes. It is believed that this study can provide a promising strategy to prepare core-shell-structured noble metal nanocatalysts with metal-framework shells.