A new catalyst, Pd particles supported on the N-doped porous carbon(PC) derived from Zn-based metal–organic frameworks(zeolitic imidazolate framework: ZIF-8), was successfully prepared for the first time.The as-prepared catalyst was designated as N-doped PC-Pd, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscope, Nadsorption and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The N-doped PC-Pd composite exhibited high catalytic activity toward the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. The yields of the products were in the range of 90%–99%. The catalyst could be readily recycled and reused at least 6 consecutive cycles without a significant loss of its catalytic activity.