Rinse and sort the beans. I repeat this although I’ve long ago given up the sorting part as I’ve never yet found any rocks or non-bean material. I do rinse them however.

Cover with 2 inches of water.

Add a couple of inches of salt pork. (Note: I buy a hunk of this periodically and freeze whatever I have left after slicing up in pieces.) Peel and quarter an onion and add that. Add the chili powder.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for a few hours, until the beans are soft. Add more water periodically if you need to.

Serve these as a soup or just cooked beans as a side dish, as is, or make refried beans from them.