Rinse the crab and cook it if it is not already cooked
Remove the top shell by lifting it off from the back
Pull out and discard the gills, mouth parts, and internal organs
Break the crab in half or into sections
Crack the legs and claws with a crab cracker, mallet, or the back of a knife
Use a pick, fork, or your fingers to remove the meat from the legs and claws
Lift the body sections and remove the lump meat from the chambers
Eat the white meat and any claw meat you remove
Dip the meat in melted butter, vinegar, or your preferred sauce
Discard the shell and inedible parts as you go