This clue appeared in the NYT Crossword on Thursday, January 15, 2026 (1 Down). The answer is hidden below until you want it. Thursday puzzles often have a trick, such as a rebus (several letters in one square) or answers that bend the rules.
Answer length: 6 squares
First letter
M _ _ _ _ _
First and last letters
M _ _ _ _ A
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About the answer
MASALA as a word: Any of many blends of spices used in Indian cuisine, most often containing cardamom, coriander, mace together with pepper, nutmeg, fennel seeds, jeera etc; Any dish prepared with such spices.
MASALA has been an answer 2 times in the NYT Crossword and Mini since January 15, 2026.
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