The invention discloses a silicon-carbon negative electrode material. The composite material is of a core-shell structure, and the core-shell structure sequentially comprises a silicon core, a cavity layer, a lithium silicate layer and a carbon layer from inside to outside; the silicon core is micron silicon, micropores are distributed in the lithium silicate layer, and the carbon layer coats the lithium silicate layer. The micron silicon is wide in source, low in cost, high in controllability of the preparation process and suitable for large-scale production, the hollow layer and the micropore structure provide a space for volume expansion and shrinkage in the charging and discharging process, the expansion rate of the powder is greatly reduced, structural collapse is avoided, the structure is stable, the reversible capacity is high, and the cycle performance is good. The material has a wide application prospect as a negative electrode material of a lithium ion battery. Through oxidation, heat treatment, etching and carbon coating, the preparation method is simple and feasible in process, free of pollution, simple in equipment, small in investment and suitable for large-scale production.