Disclosed is a new method for preparing an azetidinone compound represented by formula (I). The carboxylic ketoester represented by formula (II) serves as the raw material and is subjected to Grignard addition, stereoselective dehydration, ester group reduction, hydroxyl group protection, addition with imine after condensation with a chiral auxiliary, cyclization and deprotection to obtain the compound represented by formula (I). The present invention has advantages of easily available raw material, a few synthetic steps, simple operation, high yield, good stereoselectivity and low cost, and can be used for industrial production.