Objective To establish a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) method for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes(L.monocytogenes) in food. Methods Based on the hlyA gene of L. monocytogenes, a set of RPA primers was selected for constructing RPA test, and its specificity and sensitivity were then tested.Results The RPA assay could be finished in 30 min at 37 ℃. The primers used in RPA were specific. Experiments confirmed a detection limit of DNA template as low as 0.5 ng/μL. L. monocytogenes in the artificially-contaminated meat could be detected at the limit of 10⁴ CFU/2.5 g. Conclusion The RPA method for detecting L. monocytogenes has strong specificity and high sensitivity, which is easy to operate, and can be performed under normal temperature without depending on the expensive equipment. It is suitable for field detection and application in the basic laboratory.