Billy Joel’s 3-Ingredient Marinade Recipe

He may be the ultimate “Piano Man,” but Billy Joel also knows a thing or two about cooking up some delicious recipes. In fact, the iconic singer and songwriter has a steak marinade that’s so good (and easy to make!) that his ex-wife, Katie Lee Biegel, included it in one of her cookbooks.

The three-ingredient, citrusy marinade relies on pantry staples like olive oil and freshly-ground black pepper along with anchovy paste, minced garlic and lime juice, and it sounds like a perfect way to make steak for fajitas or prep meat for grilling. In fact, Biegel used the recipe as part of “splurge meals for a steal” segment back in 2008 on the now defunct CBS’s The Early Show. 

In the morning show segment, Biegel’s “splurge” was filet mignon, but her “steal” version of a steak dinner used skirt steak and the “Uptown Girl” singer’s marinade. Since skirt steak is a more affordable cut of beef than filet, it makes total sense to switch it out when putting together a delicious steak dinner on a budget, especially if you can boost the flavor even further with a good marinade.

Biegel went back to Joel’s marinade recipe often, leaving us to think it must be really good. The chef and cookbook author confirmed in an interview with New York Daily News that the recipe was, in fact, Joel’s very own creation, saying the crooner was “so proud” to have his recipe printed in her 2008 cookbook, The Comfort Table. 

To make Joel’s marinade, whisk lime juice from about six limes with the same amount of olive oil, plus some finely-minced garlic cloves, anchovy paste and a bit of freshly-ground black pepper together until emulsified. Place two pounds of skirt steak (or protein of your choosing) into a resealable kitchen bag or shallow container and cover the meat with the marinade. Let the whole thing hang out in your fridge for four to six hours (or overnight), then cook the marinated protein any way you choose.

This marinade doesn’t just sound delicious. Anchovies are packed with calcium, olive oil is great for heart and bone health and citrus fruits like lime are great sources of vitamin C. Paired with the right protein, Joel’s easy marinade could be beneficial to your health—not just a yummy dinner addition.

We’re also sure this marinade is a must-try marinade because Biegel never leads us astray with her recipe suggestions. From Orecchiette with Sausage, White Beans and Tomatoes to Sheet Pan Shrimp with Broccoli, we appreciate Biegel’s passion for sharing simple, protein-packed meals that anyone can try at home, regardless of their skill level in the kitchen. 

Need some recipe inspo? We’re dreaming of using this savory, citrusy marinade in recipes like our Grilled Skirt Steak with Corn-Tomato Relish or Sheet Pan Steak and Potatoes. However you use it, Joel may not have started the fire, but he’s lit a fire within us to test out this unique steak marinade.