Tunable Cu-BTC mesoporous metal–organic frameworks (mesoMOFs) are prepared conveniently through a template-free strategy under solvothermal conditions. Nanosized microporous Cu-BTC particles pack to form mesopores with sizes that can be controlled (26–72 nm) by simply varying the synthesis temperature. This template-free and controllable strategy can be applied using other organic solvents to obtain mesoMOF materials that possess similar tunable mesopores. Furthermore, the as-synthesized hierarchically porous MOFs materials are demonstrated as the electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction under mild conditions.