The invention relates to a preparation method of a nanometer nickel-based catalyst applied to carbon monoxide methanation reaction of a slurry reactor. The method comprises the steps of 1, completely dissolving 4-10 parts of nickel salt precursor and 0.5-2 parts of auxiliary salt precursor into enough carbon source precursor solution; 2, adding 5 parts of silicon dioxide carriers into the solution under the condition of stirring, and then ultrasonically immersing, thus allowing the nickel salt precursor, the auxiliary salt precursor and the carbon source precursor to be uniformly dispersed on the silicon dioxide carriers; 3, vacuum drying acquired impregnation liquid, roasting in an inert atmosphere, then roasting in the air atmosphere, grinding acquired samples, and sieving to acquire a catalyst precursor; and 4, recovering the catalyst precursor at high temperature to acquire the nanometer nickel-based CO methanation catalyst. The preparation method provided by the invention has the advantages of short technological process, simple operation, low cost, being prone to achieve large-scale industrial production.