Zeolite beta was cost-effectively synthesized by the direct crystallization conversion of silicic and aluminium source powders using tetraethylammonium bromide (TEABr) as the structure-directing agent. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed desorption of ammonium (NH3-TPD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and N-2 adsorption-desorption techniques. The characterization results indicated that the acidity and the pore structure of the synthesized zeolite were consistent with the standard zeolite beta, although a trace of stray crystal of mordenite was observed. The lab-synthesized zeolite beta, which was used as the additive in the USY-based fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst, exhibited a performance in catalytic cracking reaction of heavy oil feed that was similar to the performance of the standard zeolite beta.