A method for producing a cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb filter comprising the steps of introducing a plugging material of a cordierite-forming material into predetermined flow paths of a sintered, cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb having an outer diameter of 150 mm or more, and drying and sintering the resultant plugs, the sintering step comprising a temperature-elevating process, a temperature-keeping process and a temperature-lowering process, and the temperature-elevating process having a temperature-elevating speed of 70-500° C./hr from 800° C. to the highest keeping temperature.