a method is provided for vacuum packaging a molded meat product in a cook - in bag that includes the steps of vacuum stuffing a substantially deaerated moldable meat product into a thermoplastic bag lining a cooking mold , the bag having a length greater than the mold to define a bag neck ; substantially removing any meat from the bag neck ; and then , while still under vacuum , gathering and clipping the bag neck . associated apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided .