Today's NYT Strands is live for Saturday, July 11, 2026 (Puzzle #860). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Fishy fare"
What It Really Means
Think comfort food that hits different on a cold day. Every word on this board belongs in a single dish you'd pull out of the oven, scoop into a bowl, and eat by the spoonful.
Think About...
- Ingredients you'd find in a classic baked casserole
- Pantry staples that show up in warm, hearty meals
- Items that pair together in a single-dish dinner
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Horizontal
Letter Count: 9 letters
Starting Zone: Begins near the middle of the board on the fifth row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): It's the name of the dish that contains everything else on the board.
Hint 2 (Warmer): Think baked, bubbly, and loaded with starch, protein, and dairy.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is C, last letter is E
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CASSEROLE
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: Small, round, and green. A classic side that shows up next to almost anything.
Closer: These little green spheres are a staple in soups, stews, and casseroles.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 4 letters total
Answer
PEAS
Word 2
Vague: Canned, flaky, and packed in water or oil. A protein shortcut for busy cooks.
Closer: The fish that turns a creamy casserole into a weeknight classic.
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 4 letters total
Answer
TUNA
Word 3
Vague: White crystals that make everything taste like something.
Closer: The most basic seasoning in every kitchen cabinet, essential for savory dishes.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SALT
Word 4
Vague: Ground spice that adds heat. Usually paired with its white counterpart.
Closer: The dark specks you see in a well-seasoned dish, often ground fresh.
Letter Clue: Starts with P, 6 letters total
Answer
PEPPER
Word 5
Vague: Long, thin, and starchy. The bed everything else rests on.
Closer: These come in a bag, boil in a pot, and form the base of countless baked dishes.
Letter Clue: Starts with N, 7 letters total
Answer
NOODLES
Word 6
Vague: Yellow, melty, and dairy. The gooey layer on top.
Closer: Shredded or sliced, this ingredient browns under the broiler and holds the dish together.
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CHEESE
Word 7
Vague: White, cold, and poured. A liquid ingredient that adds creaminess.
Closer: This dairy staple turns dry noodles into a creamy sauce base when heated.
Letter Clue: Starts with M, 4 letters total
Answer
MILK
Word 8
Vague: Brothy and warm. Often the first thing you reach for when you're sick.
Closer: Cream of mushroom or chicken, this canned ingredient is the liquid soul of a casserole.
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 4 letters total
Answer
SOUP
Full Answers
Spangram: CASSEROLE
Theme Words:
- PEAS
- TUNA
- SALT
- PEPPER
- NOODLES
- CHEESE
- MILK
- SOUP
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: SOUP (The theme prompt "Fishy fare" points hard at seafood, but SOUP is the binding liquid ingredient. Most solvers will find the solid ingredients first and trip over this one because it reads as a separate dish rather than a casserole component.)
Our Take: A cleverly constructed puzzle that builds a full recipe inside the grid. The theme prompt leans into the tuna angle, but CASSEROLE is the perfect spangram because it names the dish that contains everything else. Eight theme words is a solid day's work, and the mix of obvious ingredients (PEAS, TUNA) with the less obvious (SOUP, MILK) keeps it from being too easy.
