A highly sensitive and selective molecular imprinting sensor based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was fabricated for the sensing of tigecycline in food samples. The LIG electrodes were fabricated using a CO2 laser, and the optimal parameters of 8.6 W power and 10 cm/s scanning speed yielded a low sheet resistance of 18.2 ± 0.8 Ω/sq. The MIP-AuNP-LIG sensor was prepared by electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine in the presence of tigecycline template. The sensor exhibited a wide linear range (0.01–800 nM) and a low detection limit (0.003 nM) in buffer solution. In milk and meat samples, the sensor showed good sensitivity with LODs of 0.15 nM and 0.21 nM, respectively. The sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity, reproducibility (RSD = 3.6 %), stability (90 % response after 1 month), and reusability (6 cycles, RSD = 4.2 %). The MIP-AuNP-LIG sensor offers a promising tool for monitoring tigecycline residues in complex food matrices, with advantages over other methods in terms of facile fabrication, robustness, and practicality.