UiO-66 was successfully synthesized in the absence of any amide solvents and hydrochloric acid by using the dry-gel conversion (DGC) method for the first time. The prepared UiO-66 samples (denoted as UiO-66-DGC) were characterized by XRD, SEM, TGA, CO2 adsorption, NH3-TPD, and N-2 adsorption. The results showed that the UiO-66-DGC-E sample synthesized by using ethanol as solvent has similar crystallinity and morphology to the UiO-66 sample prepared by the conventional solvothermal method (denoted as UiO-66-S). However, it has more linker deficiencies, indicating the presence of more defects exposed in Zr clusters. As a resut, the prepared UiO-66-DGC-E sample exhibited high catalytic activity and reusability in esterification. This preparation method provides a new alternative method for the efficient and eco-friendly synthesis of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and modification of their properties.