The invention discloses a quick nitrite detection method based on nanogold. The method comprises steps as follows: a standard solution containing nitrite is added to an acid aqueous solution of p-aminothiophenol, nanogold sol is added after a period of incubation, the nanogold sol is detected by an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum data are acquired, the specific value of the absorbance in 685 nm and 520 nm positions is taken as the longitudinal coordinate, the concentration of the standard solution containing the nitrite is taken as the horizontal coordinate, a standard curve of the nitrite is obtained through fitting, the A685 / A520 value of a to-be-detected solution containing nitrite is introduced into a function relation of the standard curve of the nitrite, and quantitative detection of the nitrite is realized. The method is simple in step, low in cost, good in selectivity, high in detection speed and broad in application prospect, the nanogold is not required to be modified, special instrument equipment is not required, the detection range of the nitrite concentration is wide, and convenient, quick and sensitive detection can be realized.