The present invention relates to the field of corrosion inhibitor, and discloses an acid pickling corrosion inhibitor and a pickling method by using the same. The acid pickling corrosion inhibitor includes a quaternary ammonium compound, thiourea, HEDP and / or its salts, and phytic acid and / or tannic acid. The acid pickling corrosion inhibitor can be used for special steel such automobile structural steel, and has less usage amount and excellent corrosion performance; automotive structural steel hot rolled pickling plate with good surface quality can be obtained; and the method has low operation costs and good economic benefit.