Today’s NYT Strands puzzle #651 revolves around the theme “Pricy Pairing,” which focuses on luxury.
The six theme words are the components of this high-end dish: three items from the sea and three types of beef.
The spangram, SURFANDTURF, ties the seafood and steak elements together, making it both the highlight and the ultimate clue to solving the puzzle.
The New York Times’s latest word game, Strands, challenges solvers daily to connect letters in a grid to reveal hidden theme words and a special, grid-spanning phrase called the Spangram.
Today’s puzzle, Strands #651 for December 14, 2025, centers on the theme ‘Pricy pairing.’ Solvers must find six theme words and the Spangram, which provides the ultimate key to the puzzle. Check out the best NYT Strands hints, expert tips, and the complete solution to win puzzle #651!
Hints for theme words:
Hint #1: May I see the menu?
Hint #2: Look for high-end seafood and steak options that match the theme.
Strands Spangram Hint: Mostly diagonal, connects two opposite sides of the board, forming a phrase that represents the theme.
You will find these words in today’s puzzle:
CRAB
LOBSTER
SCALLOP
SHRIMP
RIBEYE
SIRLOIN
Spangram: SURFANDTURF
Puzzle #651 provided a satisfying mix of intuitive and challenging word-finding. The seafood and steak words were easy for anyone familiar with surf-and-turf cuisine, while locating the diagonal spangram SURFANDTURF required extra attention to the board’s layout. The puzzle balanced literal word recognition with the satisfying challenge of connecting words into a thematic phrase.
Start with Theme Words: Focus on obvious seafood or steak terms first to anchor the puzzle.
Look for the Spangram Early: Spotting SURFANDTURF quickly can make identifying remaining words easier.
Use Hints Strategically: Every three non-theme words found provide a useful hint.
Think Literally and Figuratively: Some words may have multiple associations, so consider all possible meanings.
NYT Strands #651 offered a fun, theme-based challenge centered on high-end surf and turf dishes. Successfully finding the diagonal spangram SURFANDTURF made completing the puzzle much simpler, while the theme words reinforced the culinary concept, providing an engaging brain workout. Return tomorrow for more hints, strategies, and answers!
Also Read: Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers for December 12, 2025