Objective To compare the effect of different timing of enteral nutrition for esophageal cancer patients after enhanced recovery after surgery in the real world. Method A total of 102 esophageal cancer patients after enhanced recovery after surgery were chosen by convenience sampling in thoracic surgery department of a hospital in Beijing from April 2002 to April 2021. 51 of them received enteral nutrition 2-6 h after totally awake after surgery 2 h group for short 51 of them received enteral nutrition 24 h after operation 24 h group for short . R language and Matchlt were used for propensity score matching. We compared the gastrointestinal function the thirsty status the nutrition status the incidence of the adverse reaction and complications of the two groups. Result A total of 51 pairs of patients were matched finally. There was no statistical significance between them P>0. 05 . The first time of exhaust and defecation after operation of 2 h group were shorter than those of 24 h group P<0. 05 . The scores of TDS and NRS were less than those of 24 h group P<0. 05 . The levels of serum albumin was higher than that of 24 h group P<0. 05 . However the difference of adverse reaction and complications between two groups was no statistical significance P>0. 05 . Conclusion Giving enteral nutrition 2 -6 h after totally awake after surgery for esophageal cancer patients could promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function thirsty situation and nutrition index with good safety.