Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today's Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

---

Need some help with today's Mini Crossword? It's one of those puzzle grids with absolutely no blank spaces, so if you correctly answer all the Across clues, the Downs will fill themselves in, and vice versa. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let's get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

The completed NYT Mini Crossword puzzle for Jan. 4, 2026.

NYT/Screenshot by CNET

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Ron Swanson's "number one favorite food," on Parks and Recreation
Answer: BACON

6A clue: It comes in black and green varieties, depending on ripeness
Answer: OLIVE

7A clue: Paramour
Answer: LOVER

8A clue: In bronze medal position
Answer: THIRD

9A clue: Feeling resentful, in slang
Answer: SALTY

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Streaks of lightning**
Answer: BOLTS**

2D clue: Hawaiian greeting**
Answer: ALOHA**

3D clue: The "C" of A.C.L.U.**
Answer: CIVIL**

4D clue: In the open**
Answer: OVERT**

5D clue: Knowledgeable, and proud of it**
Answer: NERDY**

---

Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

---