diff --git a/examples/bond/Makefile b/examples/bond/Makefile
index 5e7927489..47e9adc77 100644
--- a/examples/bond/Makefile
+++ b/examples/bond/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = bond_app
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -59,3 +80,5 @@ LDLIBS += -lrte_pmd_bond
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/cmdline/Makefile b/examples/cmdline/Makefile
index 118082e04..a9b61c508 100644
--- a/examples/cmdline/Makefile
+++ b/examples/cmdline/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = cmdline
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c commands.c parse_obj_list.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,5 @@ CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 CFLAGS_parse_obj_list.o := -D_GNU_SOURCE
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/distributor/Makefile b/examples/distributor/Makefile
index e800446ae..96b250407 100644
--- a/examples/distributor/Makefile
+++ b/examples/distributor/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = distributor_app
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,5 @@ endif
 EXTRA_CFLAGS += -O3 -Wfatal-errors
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/eventdev_pipeline_sw_pmd/Makefile b/examples/eventdev_pipeline_sw_pmd/Makefile
index eac984734..18fd35a55 100644
--- a/examples/eventdev_pipeline_sw_pmd/Makefile
+++ b/examples/eventdev_pipeline_sw_pmd/Makefile
@@ -34,6 +34,27 @@ APP = eventdev_pipeline_sw_pmd
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -47,3 +68,5 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/exception_path/Makefile b/examples/exception_path/Makefile
index 010cc82e7..60bcf63fa 100644
--- a/examples/exception_path/Makefile
+++ b/examples/exception_path/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = exception_path
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -48,3 +69,5 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/helloworld/Makefile b/examples/helloworld/Makefile
index 53bb9620f..e5378f118 100644
--- a/examples/helloworld/Makefile
+++ b/examples/helloworld/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = helloworld
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -48,3 +69,5 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/ip_fragmentation/Makefile b/examples/ip_fragmentation/Makefile
index b6f63e7be..b879ed694 100644
--- a/examples/ip_fragmentation/Makefile
+++ b/examples/ip_fragmentation/Makefile
@@ -36,6 +36,27 @@ APP = ip_fragmentation
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,5 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/ip_pipeline/Makefile b/examples/ip_pipeline/Makefile
index 05137eb14..0d36ff223 100644
--- a/examples/ip_pipeline/Makefile
+++ b/examples/ip_pipeline/Makefile
@@ -32,8 +32,6 @@
 # binary name
 APP = ip_pipeline
 
-VPATH += $(SRCDIR)/pipeline
-
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 SRCS-y += config_parse.c
@@ -60,10 +58,41 @@ SRCS-y += pipeline_flow_actions.c
 SRCS-y += pipeline_routing_be.c
 SRCS-y += pipeline_routing.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+VPATH += pipeline
+CFLAGS += -I. -I./pipeline/
+
+OBJS := $(patsubst %.c,build/%.o,$(SRCS-y))
+
+build/%.o: %.c Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -c $< -o $@
+
+build/$(APP): $(OBJS)
+	$(CC) $(OBJS) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP) build/*.o
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
 
+VPATH += $(SRCDIR)/pipeline
+
 # Default target, can be overridden by command line or environment
 RTE_TARGET ?= x86_64-native-linuxapp-gcc
 
@@ -78,3 +107,5 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS) -Wno-error=unused-function -Wno-error=unused-variable
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/ip_reassembly/Makefile b/examples/ip_reassembly/Makefile
index c17055b5f..f20f89744 100644
--- a/examples/ip_reassembly/Makefile
+++ b/examples/ip_reassembly/Makefile
@@ -36,6 +36,27 @@ APP = ip_reassembly
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,5 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/ipsec-secgw/Makefile b/examples/ipsec-secgw/Makefile
index e115ca56e..0a14fc1e5 100644
--- a/examples/ipsec-secgw/Makefile
+++ b/examples/ipsec-secgw/Makefile
@@ -43,6 +43,29 @@ SRCS-y += sa.c
 SRCS-y += rt.c
 SRCS-y += ipsec-secgw.c
 
+CFLAGS += -gdwarf-2
+
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 	$(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -52,7 +75,7 @@ RTE_TARGET ?= x86_64-native-linuxapp-gcc
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.vars.mk
 
-CFLAGS += -O3 -gdwarf-2
+CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 ifeq ($(CONFIG_RTE_TOOLCHAIN_ICC),y)
 CFLAGS_sa.o += -diag-disable=vec
@@ -63,3 +86,5 @@ CFLAGS += -DIPSEC_DEBUG -fstack-protector-all -O0
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/ipv4_multicast/Makefile b/examples/ipv4_multicast/Makefile
index 28a3a619e..5278c15ef 100644
--- a/examples/ipv4_multicast/Makefile
+++ b/examples/ipv4_multicast/Makefile
@@ -36,6 +36,27 @@ APP = ipv4_multicast
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,5 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+
+endif
diff --git a/examples/kni/Makefile b/examples/kni/Makefile
index 89304ade5..63d57472c 100644
--- a/examples/kni/Makefile
+++ b/examples/kni/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = kni
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -53,3 +74,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l2fwd-cat/Makefile b/examples/l2fwd-cat/Makefile
index 66bc00f92..308a4e078 100644
--- a/examples/l2fwd-cat/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l2fwd-cat/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,30 @@ APP = l2fwd-cat
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := l2fwd-cat.c cat.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+CFLAGS += -D_GNU_SOURCE
+LDFLAGS += -lpqos
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -65,3 +89,4 @@ LDLIBS += -L$(PQOS_INSTALL_PATH)
 LDLIBS += -lpqos
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l2fwd-crypto/Makefile b/examples/l2fwd-crypto/Makefile
index 49cffe965..afa32b010 100644
--- a/examples/l2fwd-crypto/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l2fwd-crypto/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l2fwd-crypto
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -48,3 +69,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l2fwd-jobstats/Makefile b/examples/l2fwd-jobstats/Makefile
index d905ef86f..315daf691 100644
--- a/examples/l2fwd-jobstats/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l2fwd-jobstats/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l2fwd-jobstats
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -49,3 +70,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l2fwd-keepalive/Makefile b/examples/l2fwd-keepalive/Makefile
index a58a710cd..a4daeeb04 100644
--- a/examples/l2fwd-keepalive/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l2fwd-keepalive/Makefile
@@ -34,6 +34,28 @@ APP = l2fwd-keepalive
 
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c shm.c
+LDFLAGS += -lrt
+
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
 
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
@@ -46,6 +68,6 @@ include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.vars.mk
 
 CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
-LDFLAGS += -lrt
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l2fwd/Makefile b/examples/l2fwd/Makefile
index 52f852f23..55a67d636 100644
--- a/examples/l2fwd/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l2fwd/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l2fwd
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -48,3 +69,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l3fwd-acl/Makefile b/examples/l3fwd-acl/Makefile
index aa1423211..afd7421ff 100644
--- a/examples/l3fwd-acl/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l3fwd-acl/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l3fwd-acl
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -54,3 +75,4 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l3fwd-power/Makefile b/examples/l3fwd-power/Makefile
index d68b413f8..c17e66db3 100644
--- a/examples/l3fwd-power/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l3fwd-power/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l3fwd-power
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -61,3 +82,4 @@ endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
 endif
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l3fwd-vf/Makefile b/examples/l3fwd-vf/Makefile
index f95651945..f3b324db0 100644
--- a/examples/l3fwd-vf/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l3fwd-vf/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l3fwd-vf
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -54,3 +75,4 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/l3fwd/Makefile b/examples/l3fwd/Makefile
index 0ae1dc43b..41abfe7f6 100644
--- a/examples/l3fwd/Makefile
+++ b/examples/l3fwd/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = l3fwd
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c l3fwd_lpm.c l3fwd_em.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -49,3 +70,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3 $(USER_FLAGS)
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/link_status_interrupt/Makefile b/examples/link_status_interrupt/Makefile
index 9607da6ad..0e36eac0c 100644
--- a/examples/link_status_interrupt/Makefile
+++ b/examples/link_status_interrupt/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = link_status_interrupt
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -48,3 +69,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/load_balancer/Makefile b/examples/load_balancer/Makefile
index cff10e1b6..458e712de 100644
--- a/examples/load_balancer/Makefile
+++ b/examples/load_balancer/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = load_balancer
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c config.c init.c runtime.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,4 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/packet_ordering/Makefile b/examples/packet_ordering/Makefile
index 19fe743a7..a9b4eb016 100644
--- a/examples/packet_ordering/Makefile
+++ b/examples/packet_ordering/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = packet_ordering
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -48,3 +69,4 @@ CFLAGS += -O3
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/ptpclient/Makefile b/examples/ptpclient/Makefile
index 4cbb9528e..7ed57d9fc 100644
--- a/examples/ptpclient/Makefile
+++ b/examples/ptpclient/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = ptpclient
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := ptpclient.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -54,3 +75,4 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/qos_meter/Makefile b/examples/qos_meter/Makefile
index 178835836..34879e105 100644
--- a/examples/qos_meter/Makefile
+++ b/examples/qos_meter/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = qos_meter
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c rte_policer.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -54,3 +75,4 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/qos_sched/Makefile b/examples/qos_sched/Makefile
index 3cd5c229f..f33c5b61d 100644
--- a/examples/qos_sched/Makefile
+++ b/examples/qos_sched/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = qos_sched
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c args.c init.c app_thread.c cfg_file.c cmdline.c stats.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -59,3 +80,4 @@ CFLAGS_cfg_file.o := -D_GNU_SOURCE
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
 
 endif
+endif
diff --git a/examples/rxtx_callbacks/Makefile b/examples/rxtx_callbacks/Makefile
index 4bf72fbee..40989fdd5 100644
--- a/examples/rxtx_callbacks/Makefile
+++ b/examples/rxtx_callbacks/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = rxtx_callbacks
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,4 @@ endif
 EXTRA_CFLAGS += -O3 -g -Wfatal-errors
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/skeleton/Makefile b/examples/skeleton/Makefile
index fc54c0a48..ff13e7888 100644
--- a/examples/skeleton/Makefile
+++ b/examples/skeleton/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = basicfwd
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := basicfwd.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -55,3 +76,4 @@ endif
 EXTRA_CFLAGS += -O3 -g -Wfatal-errors
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/tep_termination/Makefile b/examples/tep_termination/Makefile
index 9974e75fa..52149a4b0 100644
--- a/examples/tep_termination/Makefile
+++ b/examples/tep_termination/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = tep_termination
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c vxlan_setup.c vxlan.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -54,3 +75,4 @@ CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 CFLAGS += -D_GNU_SOURCE
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/timer/Makefile b/examples/timer/Makefile
index e4bce3161..dc1fb74ce 100644
--- a/examples/timer/Makefile
+++ b/examples/timer/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = timer
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -54,3 +75,4 @@ CFLAGS_main.o += -Wno-return-type
 endif
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/vhost/Makefile b/examples/vhost/Makefile
index 5b743af03..de0c8d872 100644
--- a/examples/vhost/Makefile
+++ b/examples/vhost/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = vhost-switch
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c virtio_net.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -57,3 +78,4 @@ CFLAGS += -D_GNU_SOURCE
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
 
 endif
+endif
diff --git a/examples/vhost_scsi/Makefile b/examples/vhost_scsi/Makefile
index 1f3fd2a9a..29b654da6 100644
--- a/examples/vhost_scsi/Makefile
+++ b/examples/vhost_scsi/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,29 @@ APP = vhost-scsi
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := scsi.c vhost_scsi.c
 
+CFLAGS += -D_GNU_SOURCE -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64
+
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -50,10 +73,10 @@ please change the definition of the RTE_TARGET environment variable)
 all:
 else
 
-CFLAGS += -O2 -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64
+CFLAGS += -O2
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
-CFLAGS += -D_GNU_SOURCE
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
 
 endif
+endif
diff --git a/examples/vm_power_manager/Makefile b/examples/vm_power_manager/Makefile
index bee0f5e41..9cf20a289 100644
--- a/examples/vm_power_manager/Makefile
+++ b/examples/vm_power_manager/Makefile
@@ -29,13 +29,6 @@
 #   (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 #   OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 
-# binary name
-APP = vm_power_mgr
-
-# all source are stored in SRCS-y
-SRCS-y := main.c vm_power_cli.c power_manager.c channel_manager.c
-SRCS-y += channel_monitor.c
-
 ifneq ($(shell pkg-config --atleast-version=0.9.3 libvirt; echo $$?), 0)
 $(error vm_power_manager requires libvirt >= 0.9.3)
 else
@@ -49,6 +42,13 @@ RTE_TARGET ?= x86_64-native-linuxapp-gcc
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.vars.mk
 
+# binary name
+APP = vm_power_mgr
+
+# all source are stored in SRCS-y
+SRCS-y := main.c vm_power_cli.c power_manager.c channel_manager.c
+SRCS-y += channel_monitor.c
+
 CFLAGS += -O3 -I$(RTE_SDK)/lib/librte_power/
 CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 
diff --git a/examples/vmdq/Makefile b/examples/vmdq/Makefile
index 7deaf4506..bd2aae34c 100644
--- a/examples/vmdq/Makefile
+++ b/examples/vmdq/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = vmdq_app
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -49,3 +70,4 @@ CFLAGS += $(WERROR_FLAGS)
 EXTRA_CFLAGS += -O3
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
diff --git a/examples/vmdq_dcb/Makefile b/examples/vmdq_dcb/Makefile
index 554f6c0cb..d75498c45 100644
--- a/examples/vmdq_dcb/Makefile
+++ b/examples/vmdq_dcb/Makefile
@@ -35,6 +35,27 @@ APP = vmdq_dcb_app
 # all source are stored in SRCS-y
 SRCS-y := main.c
 
+# Build using pkg-config variables if possible
+$(shell pkg-config --exists libdpdk)
+ifeq ($(.SHELLSTATUS),0)
+
+PC_FILE := $(shell pkg-config --path libdpdk)
+CFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --cflags libdpdk)
+LDFLAGS += $(shell pkg-config --libs libdpdk)
+
+build/$(APP): $(SRCS-y) Makefile $(PC_FILE) | build
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(SRCS-y) -o $@ $(LDFLAGS)
+
+build:
+	@mkdir -p $@
+
+.PHONY: clean
+clean:
+	rm -f build/$(APP)
+	rmdir --ignore-fail-on-non-empty build
+
+else # Build using legacy build system
+
 ifeq ($(RTE_SDK),)
 $(error "Please define RTE_SDK environment variable")
 endif
@@ -57,3 +78,4 @@ endif
 EXTRA_CFLAGS += -O3 -g
 
 include $(RTE_SDK)/mk/rte.extapp.mk
+endif
