Upon reading the question If I vacuum seal a food product like beef stew then boil it in the bag, would it keep un-refrigerated? and the answer provided https://cooking.stackexchange.com/a/69423/6279 I agree that 'normally' it would not result in making something shelf stable. But My question is COULD you (by putting the vacuum sealed bag into a pressure cooker) achieve the results of canning in said bag? I found some speculation on this question here but I am unsure of the conclusion…(given the sources)
Can “Canning” be achieved with “vacuum sealed” bags
canningfood-preservation
Related Solutions
If you want to shelf store the cooked legumes in plastic, you need to buy boilable pouches
They are a great space saver, and somewhat environmentally friendly as the oil/energy required to make one glass preserving jar can make 50 to 100 of these bags. And how many preserving jars survive 50 times without breaking!
You will find plenty of sources on the Internet, typical prices $50 to $200 per 1000
The process varies from each bag supplier and vacuum system, but is similar to normal home preserving
If you get the foil lined (light proof) pouches they will preserve food for many years
Example suppliers caspak pacrite
This process is popular in NZ and AU, but as I have just discovered, not so in the USA? So it maybe easier to order from here
The energy, weight, and space saving of plastic pouches is significant
I don't know that it's any less bulky, but this one is dedicated to canning Vacucanner. It does several cans at a time. Here's a review
If you like DIY projects, you might be interested in this video. DIY Vacuum Canner
Best Answer
(disclaimer: I've only heard of people doing this, not done it myself.)
Yes, it can be done. You're looking for retort pouch canning. Various places will sell you the bags, and you can vacuum seal them with a chamber vac, though you may need an upgraded heat bar. Then you can process them in a pressure canner (or preferably autoclave).
I'd definitely follow the normal reheating recommendations (the boil it 10 minutes bit) before eating. I don't think USDA has home canning guides for retort pouches.