Begin by dicing your high-quality ham into small cubes, ensuring they are bite-sized for easy mixing. Next, finely chop celery and red onion, aiming for a uniform size to enhance texture and flavor distribution.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced ham, chopped celery, minced red onion, and a handful of diced dill pickles for a wonderful crunch. Sprinkle in a dash of black pepper for seasoning, and use a spatula to gently stir everything together until well blended.

Now, it’s time to fold in the mayonnaise and a dollop of yellow mustard into your mixture. Pour the mayo over the combined ingredients and use a spatula to incorporate it thoroughly.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.

When ready to serve, spoon the delightful Iowa Ham Salad onto crisp lettuce leaves or use it as a filling between slices of fresh bread.